Rain tight fitting for PVC jacketed metal-clad electrical cable

Abstract

A rain tight fitting for securing PVC jacketed metal clad (PVC-MC) electrical cable to an electrical box or panel. The rain tight fitting includes a tubular fitting body having a threaded inbound and outbound end, an MC ring, a grommet, a sealing ring, a locknut, and a gland nut. The grommet includes an inbound end, an outbound end, an outer periphery and a flange extending from the outer periphery at the inbound end. The tubular sealing ring includes one or more thread engagement tabs having an apex that is aligned along the central axis of the sealing ring. The MC ring includes a base portion having an inbound end, an outbound end, and plurality of fingers extending from the outbound end. The fitting facilitates rain-tight connection and proper electrical grounding of PVC-MC cable to an electrical box or panel.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A rain-tight electrical fitting, comprising:
 a substantially tubular fitting body including an inbound end with an inbound bore, and an outbound end with an outbound bore; 
 a tubular MC ring in said inbound bore of said fitting body, said MC ring including an internal bore; 
 a tubular grommet disposed in said bore of said MC ring; 
 a gland nut for urging said grommet and said MC ring within said inbound bore of said fitting body; 
 said MC ring being a split ring with a base portion and a plurality of fingers extending from the forward edge of the base portion; 
 said fingers of said MC ring having end portions thereon; and 
 said end portions of said fingers projecting forward and radially inwardly from the fingers. 
 
     
     
       2. The electrical fitting of  claim 1 , further comprising
 a locknut on said outbound end of said fitting body; and 
 a sealing ring disposed between said locknut and said fitting body. 
 
     
     
       3. The electrical fitting of  claim 1 , further comprising a threaded nose on said outbound end of said fitting body. 
     
     
       4. The electrical fitting of  claim 1 , further comprising a threaded portion on said inbound end of said fitting body. 
     
     
       5. The electrical fitting of  claim 1 , further comprising
 a central flange on said fitting body; and 
 facets on said central flange. 
 
     
     
       6. The electrical fitting of  claim 1 , further comprising a ramped surface circumscribing the interior of said fitting body within said inbound bore. 
     
     
       7. The electrical fitting of  claim 1 , further comprising
 an inbound end and an inner periphery on said grommet; and 
 a flange extending outward from said outer periphery of said grommet at said inbound end. 
 
     
     
       8. The electrical fitting of  claim 7 , wherein said grommet is constructed of elastomeric material. 
     
     
       9. The electrical fitting of  claim 2 , further comprising
 an inner surface on said sealing ring; and 
 a tab extending from said inner surface of said sealing ring to an apex. 
 
     
     
       10. The electrical fitting of  claim 1 , wherein said base portion of said MC ring includes a tab and a groove thereon, said tab adapted to fit within said groove of said MC ring. 
     
     
       11. The electrical fitting of  claim 1 , wherein
 said fitting body is constructed of zinc alloy; and 
 said MC ring is constructed of spring steel. 
 
     
     
       12. The electrical fitting of  claim 1 , wherein said gland nut further comprises
 an inbound end, an outbound end, and an inner periphery; and 
 a lip including a through bore at said inbound end. 
 
     
     
       13. The electrical fitting of  claim 12 , further comprising
 a bushing disposed between said gland nut and said grommet; and 
 a flange and a nose portion on said bushing. 
 
     
     
       14. A rain-tight electrical fitting, comprising:
 a substantially tubular fitting body including an inbound end with an inbound bore, and an outbound end with an outbound bore; 
 a tubular MC ring in said inbound bore of said fitting body, said MC ring being a split ring including an internal bore, a base portion, a central axis, and a plurality of fingers extending from said base portion; 
 a tubular grommet disposed in said bore of said MC ring, said tubular grommet of cylindrical shape and having a constant outer diameter; 
 a gland nut for urging said grommet and said MC ring within said inbound bore of said fitting body; and 
 a ramped surface circumscribing the interior of said fitting body within said inbound bore, said ramped surface adapted for engaging said fingers of said MC ring. 
 
     
     
       15. The electrical fitting of  claim 14 , further comprising an end portion on each of said fingers, said end portions bent inwards toward said central axis of said MC ring. 
     
     
       16. The electrical fitting of  claim 14 , wherein said tubular grommet is adapted to fit within said fingers of said MC ring. 
     
     
       17. A rain-tight electrical fitting, comprising:
 a substantially tubular fitting body including an inbound end with an inbound bore, and an outbound end with an outbound bore; 
 a tubular MC ring in said inbound bore of said fitting body, said MC ring including an internal bore; 
 a tubular grommet disposed in said bore of said MC ring; 
 a gland nut for urging said grommet and said MC ring within said inbound bore of said fitting body; 
 a bushing disposed between said gland nut and said grommet; 
 a locknut on said outbound end of said fitting body; 
 a sealing ring disposed between said locknut and said fitting body; 
 said sealing ring including an inner periphery and a central axis; 
 a tab extending from said inner periphery on said sealing ring; and 
 an apex aligned along said central axis of said sealing ring.